Raceline: Tip of the Day 5th October

Our run of bad luck continued yesterday when the selection was agonisingly edged out by a short head. It’s high time we returned to the winner’s enclosure.

Friday 5th October

ARDLUI

Ascot 4.40 WIN

There was a time during the last jumps season that Alan King’s son of Galileo was considered a possible challenger for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He didn’t quite fulfil his potential over timber but King reports that he has returned this autumn a much stronger animal after being hobdayed and gelded. He proved his wellbeing when finishing second at Chester last month -- ironically just behind the horse who did win the Triumph, Countrywide Flame -- and can maintain a successful return to the Flat by taking this long-established staying handicap. He has risen 3lbs in the weights but is still 2lbs lower than when finishing a creditable fourth in a hot handicap at York last season. Don’t worry if the forecast overnight rain has turned the ground soft. The more give the better for the four-year-old.